Francheska “Fancy” Felder is a quiet Southern, media mogul in the making. In 2010, she launched SwagHer Magazine, an empowerment and lifestyle publication for the progressive Black community. Fancy’s passion for all things creative combined with her love for writing, Black culture, and business guided her to also offer her public relations, creative, and branding services, making the magazine more of a media boutique having its own subscription clients as well as advertisers, hence why the name changed to SwagHer Magazine & Media. SwagHer Magazine uses positive media and storytelling to create new narratives and mindsets around Black people, their communities, and the businesses and organizations they lead. The Mississippi native is also one half of Theories & Thoughts Podcast, a discussion-driven show that tackles Black issues and taboo subjects with a kitchen table talk feel, which she hosts with Arnya T.M. Davis. The two also co-produce and host Theories & Thoughts Deep Dive, a millennial talk show. The former teen mom graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College with her associate’s in marketing management and studied mass communications with a focus in public relations from Southern University A&M College.

What does success look like to you?
Success looks like the freedom and funds to do and be who I want while also being able to provide for the people I love and care about.

What is the name of your business? What type of business is it?
Fancy’s Thoughts, LLC DBA SwagHer Magazine & Media LLC, we are a media and branding business.

What made you choose this type of business?
Coming from a small town, the entertainment world intrigued me, and I wanted to be in the midst of it. However, along the way, I discovered that working in entertainment is not as easy as it looks and I grew more attracted to business owners and creatives. I wanted to share their stories to inspire others, but I also realize many needed assistance with crafting their stories and growing their brands as well. SwagHer allows me to work in both worlds.

What hurdles did you personally face in getting ready to open your business and how did you overcome them?
Poverty, homelessness, strip club addiction, and lack of knowledge of self were my biggest hurdles. It’s extremely difficult to start a business with nothing, and it’s even harder to sustain a business when you don’t even have a place to call home. However, when I changed my mindset and really got to know myself and what I was capable of, the gifts that I possessed, I was able to change things up, but it took many years. The last time I was homeless, I thought I was broken and defeated. I didn’t know what to do, so I rested and decided to only move as God instructed. I think that is what He really wanted. He brought me and my kids through that time and into our own place over time, while also preparing me for greater. When we were finally in our own place again, we made smarter decisions, and I have watched my both family and business flourish.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?
I’ve always been ambitious but as an awkward introvert, I never did well on jobs. I never fit in and it seemed like the harder I worked, the harder worked. Nothing changed, not my position, nor my pay. I stayed depressed and feeling ostracized. I could barely take care of my kids and have time to spend with them. I realized I was not going to live the life I wanted working for someone else, but entrepreneurship has always been in me. I was the candy and snack lady in high school.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
I lost my daughter in a custody battle 10 years ago. The judge not only belittled my pursuit of getting a secondary education but she also put down on my dream. I have worked for the past 10 years to stabilize my life and prove her and the plaintiff wrong. I already knew they were wrong but I want them to see it.

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Your desire to win must be louder than your naysayers.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
We are launching another extension of SwagHer Magazine soon. It’s a big deal, but I can’t say much about it due to agreements.

Linktr.ee | Swagher Website | Swagher Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Fancy Instagram